Labeo lukulae Boulenger, 1902
Red-spot mudsucker
Labeo lukulae
photo by Mertens, P.

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Labeoninae
Max. size:  26.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater,
Distribution:  Africa: principal coastal basins of Cameroon to the Chiloango in Democratic Republic of the Congo; in the Congo basin known from the Kasai and Kwango in Angola, and the Aruwimi and Wagenia Falls in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 26192). Presence in the southern Congo basin in Angola not confirmed in Ref. 120641.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Vertebrae: 29-31. Diagnosis: snout prominent, large and somewhat pointed, 44.6-60.0% of HL, with a deep and wide transverse furrow and ending in a fleshy appendage; scale formula: 34-37 (35 commonly observed); 4.5-6.5 (5.5 commonly observed); 3.0-4.5 (4.0 commonly observed); 13-17 (16 commonly observed); dorsal fin with 3 unbranched and 9-10 (10 commonly observed) branched rays; upper edge of dorsal fin always concave; 29-31 (30 commonly observed) vertebrae; ventral fin origin located under the 4th branched dorsal ray; genital opening distant from anal fin origin; no longitudinal band on flanks or spot on scaled base of caudal fin (Ref. 81639). Description: body moderately laterally compressed; maxillary barbels small and hidden in skin folds at mouth corners, rostral barbels minute and hidden in rostral fold; ventral fins short, not reaching to genital opening, with an insertion beneath 4th branched dorsal ray (Ref. 81639). Coloration: in preservation, dark brown dorsally, light brown to whitish ventrally; according to Ref. 52342 the holotype is dark olive dorsally and whitish on the belly (Ref. 81639).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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